Automatic file or binder.



K. UHLIG.

AUTOMATIC FILE OR BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED $EPT.17,1912.

1,086,423, Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

7/ 577; eymxi- 1727a afar.-

Attorney COLUMBIA FLANOGRAPH COWWASHINGTON. |),C1

lllhlllhlD PATENT OFFICE.

KURT UHLIG, or BERLIN, GERMANY.

AUTOIi/IATIG FILE OR BINDER.

Application filed September 17, 1912.

1 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that l, KURT UHLIG, a subject of the German Emperor, residing at J channisstrasse 20/21, Berlin, Germany, have invented certain new and useful ln'iproven'ients in Automatic Files or Binders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to automatic files or binders for filing and indexing letter sheets and the like, wherein the individual sheets are held by a clamping device between the indexing sheets provided with numbers or letters.

According to this invention, the clamping device consists of clamping strips or members, whose hinge portions are fixed to the file covers or backs and are influenced by one common spring, so that when a certain angle of rotation has been exceeded, the hinge portions are held automatically in the opened position and close automatically by pressure.

A. constructional form of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing by way of example.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a closed file, the position of the single parts in the open state being indicated by dotted lines. Figs. 2 and 3 are cross-sections of the clamping device in its closed and open position. Fig. 1- shows the various parts of the clamping device separately.

The clamping members of a suitable number are provided on the back of the file a and in such a manner that the hinge portions 5 0 of the clamping device are suitably secured to the file covers. In the example as shown, the rear portion cl of the clamping member 6 is of cylindrical shape and the rear portion 6 of the clamping member 0 of semi-cylindrical shape, the dimensions being such that the former hinge portion is adapted to turn within the latter one. Adjacent to the rounded rear portions of the clamping members, recesses are provided, wherein the spring h, which holds the clamping members together, engages, so that it cannot jerk off the clamping device. The recesses for the spring are arranged in such a manner that the engaging point of the spring with closed clamp is above and with open clamp below or at least in the plane of the rotary axis of the clamping members. The cylindrical end of the clamping member I) has in the middle a slot g, in which a projection f of the clamping member 0 engages in such Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

Serial No. 720,865.

a manner that the opening width of the clamping device is limited. The engagement of the projection f in the central slot 9 of the cylindrical end d of the clamping member also affords the advantage that a relative axial displacement of the clamping members is prevented. Two or more clamping devices are provided according to the length of the back of the file or binder and suitably covered by a special back portion 2', which is combined with the file or binder in a suitable manner. The file or binder is handled in the following manner.

For the purpose of opening, the right hand is pressed on the contents of the file and then the upper cover is drawn to the left until the complete opening width of the clamping members is attained and the closure remains open. For the purpose of closing, the right hand is placed on the contents, while the upper cover is forced inwardly with the left hand, whereupon the closure is effected automatically.

1 claim 1. A file clip for securing together sheets of material comprising two interfitting clamping members rotatable one within the other in the manner of a hinged joint, each of said members being bent outwardly from said hinged joint first in one direction and then at a distance from said first bend in substantially the opposite direction so that the sheets of material can be clamped along a line located at a relatively great distance from the joint, and spring means for acting on said members at said joint.

2. A file clip for securing together sheets of material, comprising two rotatablymounted and interfitting clamping members, rotatable one within the other in the manner of a hinged joint, each of said members being bent along their entire length outwardly from their point of attachment first in one direction and then in substantially the opposite direction so that the sheets of material can be clamped by said members along a line located at a relatively great distance from said point of attachment, one of said memhere being formed with a projection adapted to engage with a corresponding slot formed in the other member for limiting the degree of opening of the clip, and spring means adapted to act on said clamping members at the joint thereof to hold said members in both the open and closed position.

3. A file clip of the kind described, com

prising a plurality of rotatably-mounted clamping members one of which is formed with a projection adapted to engage a slot formed in the other of said members to limit the opening movement of said clip, each of said clamping members being bent along their entire length beyond the point of connection to form when the clip is open two substantially parallel clamping surfaces separated one from the other by a relatively great distance, and spring means for acting on said clamping members at the joint thereof.

4. A file clip of the kind described, comprising a clamping member having a substantially semicylindrical rear portion formed with a projection, which member is bent outwardly from said portion to form a recess thereat a corresponding clamping member having a slotted substantially cylindrical rear portion and likewise bent outwardly from said portion to form a recess thereat, the said rear portions engaging one within the other in the manner of a hinged joint and the edge of said slotted port-ion adapted to engage with said projection to limit the degree of opening of the clip, and a substantially C-shaped spring arranged over said rear portions and engaging the said recesses to retain said clamping members in both the open and closed position.

In testimony whereof I have aiiixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

KURT UHLIG.

Witnesses ROBERT MIoHALsnI, "WOLDEMAR HAUPT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0. 

